Office of Vital Records and Statistics

The Office of Vital Records and Statistics registers all births, deaths, and fetal deaths in the County of San Diego. The office acts as the local statutory agent in the birth and death registration process. The Office of Vital Records and Statistics is fully funded by State-mandated fees.

About Vital Records

As the local statutory agent for the birth and death registration process within San Diego County, the Office of Vital Records and Statistics is responsible for the following services:

REGISTERING & PROCESSING: All birth, death, and fetal death certificates, along with burial permits are reviewed for correctness of data, accuracy in causes of death, and acceptable format. Acceptable certificates and burial permits are registered electronically. Once it's registered locally it is automatically submitted to the State Office for final registration. After registration, original and file copies are forwarded to the San Diego Recorder/Assessor/County Clerk's Office to be indexed and recorded.

CERTIFIED COPIES: Staff process orders for regular and informational copies of birth and death records for walk-in customers as well as orders received through the mail or submitted by mortuaries. The office also provides an embossed County Seal on the certificates processed on site.

OUT-OF-HOSPITAL BIRTHS: The physician or mid-wife is responsible for registering out-of-hospital births that they attend. When there is no physician or mid-wife in attendance, the parent(s) are required to register the out-of-hospital birth. Our office MUST register all births that do not take place at a hospital. We register these births by APPOINTMENT ONLY after the baby is born. The parent(s) must provide verification of pregnancy, residence, identity and medical information. The verifications are reviewed for completeness. When statements or verifications are incomplete, inconsistent, or questionable, further investigation is necessary. The birth registration personnel either registers the birth or notifies the customer if they are unable to register the birth. If birth registration is denied, the parent(s) are referred to the court or are given delayed birth registration procedures and instructions. You may call our office at (619) 692-5733 to have an Out-of-Hospital Birth Certificate Registration Packet sent to your home.

CODING: Staff codes medical and some non-medical information on birth and death certificates, as well as, immediate, underlying and supplemental causes of death on fetal and regular death certificates. This coding allows for the gathering of statistical information. The community and government agencies at the county, state, federal and global levels evaluate health needs and trends, carryout research, and obtain information for grants with this statistical information.

STORING: The Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth and death records for the prior year plus current year. The burial permits are maintained for one (1) year.

We assist in providing information on correcting and amending Vital Records. Personnel interacts closely with the public to insure proper forms are supplied to them and accurate instructions are given to meet the customer's needs.

The office provides courteous and professional customer service to assist the public with any inquiries via telephone calls or walk-in at the front counter.

The Office of Vital Records and Statistics also assists other programs within the Health and Human Services Agency that may require vital records information, e.g. Epidemiology, Immunization Program, Tuberculosis Program, etc.

AREA SERVED: All of San Diego County

LANGUAGES: English, Spanish and Tagalog

TRANSPORTATION: Public transportation is within 3 blocks of the building.